Could ANYONE Have Outboxed Marciano?

[McGrain]

Or would it always have taken a really big puncher?

[janitor]

Originally Posted by McGrain

Or would it always have taken a really big puncher?

It could certainly be done theoreticaly. Walcott came close. Its just that the chances were always against it.

Marciano had the style to eat up boxers and he always got to them one way or another. If you re ran his first fights with Walcott and Charles say three times then one of them would get past him somewhere.

[cross_trainer]

Ali could do it, definitely. Tunney as well. Holmes would probably lose...not as consistently mobile as these two guys.

[janitor]

Originally Posted by Sweet Pea

Many could've outboxed him I think. Holmes, Ali, Lewis, prime Charles maybe, maybe Roy Jones, Gene Tunney, someone like a prime Riddick Bowe, etc. I could probably think of more.

A lot of people outboxed him for a few rounds.

It was beating him over the distence that was hard.

[heerko koois]

Balboa maybe .....

[McGrain]

Originally Posted by Sweet Pea

Many could've outboxed him I think. Holmes, Ali, Lewis, prime Charles maybe, maybe Roy Jones, Gene Tunney, someone like a prime Riddick Bowe, etc. I could probably think of more.

Well Lewis is a massive puncher, and sooner or later it's going to come down to that if he wants to win.

I don't think Jones is a sensible shout...fifteen rounds Sweet Pea, NOT getting hit on that chin?

Gene Tunney is an interesting one, as is peak Charles, but this is one of those things where it would be sensible to pick either of those guys and yet, I wouldn't on the night...I would expect Rocky to catch up with either of these guys as was his habit.

That leaves us with Holmes (50/50 for me) and Ali...Ali would be the one, but I still think it would come to serious violence around 10.

[pjo479]

i agree ali could have outboxed him but marciano had a lethal punch at any time of the fight im not so sure ali takes marciano's best

[McGrain]

Originally Posted by janitor

A lot of people outboxed him for a few rounds.

It was beating him over the distence that was hard.

I think that sooner or later you would have to smash his head in if you wanted to beat him, I don't think you could keep him of with boxing once you started to fade. And no-one at less than 100% in terms of stamina would be able to do it.

I actually think Rocky has a serious chance to beat 70's Ali.

I'm in a nightmare here. Marciano and Dempsey are my #13 and #11 and I can't keep them down.

[McGrain]

Originally Posted by pjo479

i agree ali could have outboxed him but marciano had a lethal punch at any time of the fight im not so sure ali takes marciano's best

Well I think he could, though maybe he'd have to take a count.

"What happens next" is the question?

[Thread Stealer]

Holmes and Ali were respectable punchers that I would pick to outbox Rocky.

[john garfield]

Originally Posted by janitor

A lot of people outboxed him for a few rounds.

It was beating him over the distence that was hard.

You've nailed it, J. Amateurs made him look foolish in the gym. Faster, flashier, more fluid boxers would do the same in a bout, until....

"Fatigue makes cowards of us all"...and Rocky cashed in on that.

[startown81]

Originally Posted by janitor

A lot of people outboxed him for a few rounds.

It was beating him over the distence that was hard.

You got to remember that Marciano was only 187lbs. Guys like Lewis, Holmes, Ali would be to big and fast for Rocky.

[McGrain]

Originally Posted by startown81

You got to remember that Marciano was only 187lbs. Guys like Lewis, Holmes, Ali would be to big and fast for Rocky.

But how does this advantage in size manifest itself? Because they can punch hard? He had a head like rock. Because he couldn't reach the opponents chin easily? Can you imagine having Rocky work the body for 10 rounds? Because of reach? He's only interested in getting inside whether it's 91" or 71"...fast is the interesting word in your sentance for me, not big.

[janitor]

Originally Posted by startown81

You got to remember that Marciano was only 187lbs. Guys like Lewis, Holmes, Ali would be to big and fast for Rocky.

A lot of people he fought should have been too big, fast or skilled.

He ate people who should be able to beat him in theory.

[Muchmoore]

Ali would of. Holmes and Tunney could of but I'm not too sure.